Colonial Williamsburg Virginia

In 2019, we decided to drive home to New York from our Christmas vacation in South Florida.  We spent one night in Daytona Beach, Florida, two nights in Charleston, South Carolina and two nights in Virgina.  Here’s what we did with our 9 year old twins in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia:

The Basics

Colonial Williamsburg is an 18^thCentury Village run by fully costumed individuals called “Nation Builders”.  I fondly recall visiting here when I was a child, and wanted my kids to see “the world’s largest living history museum” too.  

• We bought tickets at our hotel ($65 for all four of us) that allowed us entry into everything.  (NOTE: You can also buy tickets at the Vistors Center or online. If you don’t purchase tickets, you are free to walk around town, but you will not be admitted into any of the exhibits.)
• A day at Colonial Williamsburg is difficult to plan; there is so much to see and do!  We began our day at around 10am and the village was almost deserted (of course, January is low season, and it was a rainy day…). We walked around for about 6 hours, and we were not able to see (even close to) everything…there is A LOT, and sometimes the workshop demonstrations and conversations with the “Nation Builders” take longer than you may have anticipated.
• The map that we got from our hotel provided only very basic information.  Many places to visit are closed for the season, or are only open on certain days, so be sure to research before you go.
• Almost everything at Colonial Williamsburg closes at 5PM in January.
• We saw horse and carriage rides and heard there is a shuttle bus to take you around the village as well, otherwise, prepare to walk a lot!

Duke of Gloucester Street workshops

tin shop

This was the first open shop that we found; the folks who create tin tools and utensils were welcoming to us. They explained how difficult it is to work in the gloomy weather since they have no electricity.

ironworks

At the blacksmith we saw some intriguing items, but the people who work there did not engage us at all. They all seemed tired and unhappy to be working at all. ☹️

gun shop

This was Alex’s favorite stop; he is fascinated by guns (maybe that’s because I don’t allow them in the house?!). The gunsmith told us that he uses a rifle like the one Renato is holding in the top photo for hunting, and he showed us how to use it. You can still order a custom made gun like this one at the shop! It will be made in the same manner as they were created in the 1700’s, but it will take about a year to receive it.

apothecary

I found this to be one of the most interesting shops. The pharmacist working in the apothecary was all set to mix a potion to cure us of our ailments (luckily we didn’t have any on that day). I loved seeing all of the antique bottles and the fun drawers here!

silversmith

This was Nina’s favorite workshop, perhaps because the artist was so eager to discuss his craft with us. He demonstrated several methods of creating silver treasures. He also discussed some of the differences between what he learned during his graduate school education versus the techniques that he needs to employ in this 18th Century shop.

bindery

Nina and I also really loved meeting the bookbinder (predictable if you know either of us and how much we dig books!) It was so interesting to learn about how books were (and still are!) put together and mended, and how the covers are decorated. We enjoyed seeing the old fashioned machines and learning how they work!

milliner

The dollhouse rendering of a miniature millinery was my favorite part of this shop. Sadly, the women working here seemed more interested in their sewing tasks than speaking with us, so we didn’t learn very much here.

weaver

It was so interesting to watch this woman spin sheep’s wool into thread on an antique spinning wheel. The weaving machine was also cool to see!

shoemaker

I have never seen anyone hand stitch shoes until now…this is backbreaking work! The workers in this shop were very chatty and told us that the shoes they make and repair here are for the employees of the village.

Experiences in Colonial Williamsburg

capitol

Our guide here seemed overjoyed to see us this morning…I think we were her first customers of the day. She took us all over the building and explained a little about how the Virginia government worked in Colonial times.

slave auction

It was apropos for us to watch this video depicting a slave auction following our visit to Magnolia Plantation in South Carolina. It was satisfying to see a freedman win the bidding process for his wife (although obviously disgusting that a person was being paid for!). We were particularly horrified to see slave families separated as they were sold to different owners. The film was moving and difficult to watch, but necessary for my children to see.

order in the court

This interactive experience was so much fun! We went into the courthouse at the designated time to participate in a re-enactment of actual court cases that took place in the 18^thCentury. I volunteered to sit as part of the magistrate to determine the outcome of three cases:  an out-of-towner who did not pay his tavern tab; a case against the overseer of road improvements; and a sinner who had not been attending (or contributing money to) his local church.  

NOTE:  OITC lasted about 30 minutes.  Nina and Alex were interested, but younger kids would probably be bored. 

random animal encounters

Merchant’s Square

• Just outside of the Colonial Village is a modern shopping and dining area.
• We ate at Trellis which we rated “meh”.
• Most of the stores close by 6 here.
• There was a small ice skating rink that stayed open in the evening. The ice was melting and was desperately in need of a groom, but we still had SO MUCH FUN!

On our list for next time:  

• Visit the Governor’s Palace – our hotel concierge said this is a must see, but we missed it 
• Eat at a tavern – Only one tavern was open the day we visited.  We waited for a good half hour to be seated, but to no avail. 
• See the Folk Art and Decorative Arts Museums.
• Visit Jamestown and Yorktown to complete the Historic Triangle.

Where we stayed

Opulent and overdone in every sense of the words, The Williamsburg Inn is an historic hotel that is just a short walk from the Colonial Village. It is a huge maze of a structure that is very formal in appearance. Our room was spacious and well appointed, but the beds and pillows were hard as rocks.